DENISE Woodward was a bubbly and happy mum who worked as a teacher.

But her life changed forever when doctors found she had a brain tumour.

Now life is a struggle and her heartbroken family has appealed for help to make it a little easier.

Denise, who is 45, was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010.

She underwent surgery but not all the tumour could be removed because of the damage it would cause to her brain.

The tumour grew back and Denise has since undergone two more operations.

It also caused her to suffer from epilepsy, having up to ten seizures a day.

Once she comes round, she has no recollection of what happened.

The condition has left her scared to leave home without husband Paul, 49, who works full-time at Felixstowe Docks, or one of her two children, Aimee, 23, and PJ, 19, who is now her designated carer.

Denise’s health means she medically retired from being a reception teacher at Alton Park Junior School in Clacton.

Her mobility is drastically reduced and she relies on a walking frame as well as Aimee and Paul to shower and dress her.

It is a huge change from the person she once was.

Aimee, 23, said: “My mum was such a bubbly person who loved her job and was always out on her bike.

“To everyone else she’s fine because she doesn’t want them to worry, but she’s always drained and depressed - she just wants it to be over.

“My dad has lost faith in the system but my brother and I just try to stay strong.”

Aimee added: “For the past few years my mum has slept in an armchair because she has a shunt in her head to stop fluid building up and she’s scared it won’t work if she lies down but the hospital has said she needs a bed she can manoeuvre in.”

Doctors tried to remove the tumour again before Christmas.

They found it is fast growing and Denise will need six weeks of radiotherapy.

Aimee said: “If it grows again they will operate on it once more but after that nothing.

“This last one was quite bad but if they carried on she could’ve had a stroke in theatre.

“The first two were the same and trying to remove any more could’ve really affected her brain.”

Denise needs more assistance in her daily life but it will not come from the NHS.

“Apparently she has too much support at home to get one but it’s only my brother,” said Aimee.

“My mum cried at the news but we have to be strong for her.

“The occupational therapist’s assessment also said she’s not entitled to anything because my mum’s not unwell enough and my dad earns too much money.

“She’s already been given a chair for the bathroom but it only goes up to the sink and we have an average-sized shower with glass panels so she can’t sit on it in there. It’s also unsafe with her seizures. “ The family has now launched a £10,000 crowdfunding appeal in a desperate attempt to make life easier for Denise.

The money will help the Woodwards’ fund the installation of a wet room with a higher toilet, an electrical hospital-style bed, new armchair and walking frame.

The family are also planning sponsored events to raise money themselves.

“We all feel there’s people out there who don’t need the money they receive as much as others and the fact the NHS has decided not to help us is heart-breaking.”

To support the Woodward family, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/denisewoodward.